News: Ford GT to Le Mans

Four on the Floor

All four Ford GTs will race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June

By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Today in Paris, France, it was announced that Ford would be allowed to field its US-based Ford GT racers alongside their European counterparts to make for a four-car team in the GTE Pro Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ford will field all four of its Ford GT racers at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

“It was great to see all four Ford GTs up there on the Le Mans entry list today,” said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director, who attended this afternoon’s press conference in Paris. “Newcomers are by no means guaranteed an entry, whatever their history or ambitions, so we thank the ACO for giving Ford the opportunity for a four car assault in June.”

It was clearly a relief for the Ford Performance crew to have its full complement of cars racing 50 years after Ford’s storied 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans.

“I’m very happy that we can run all four Ford GTs at Le Mans,” said Chip Ganassi, owner of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing. “It will be a big challenge for us but one we are thrilled to undertake. We have prepared well and can’t wait to get the Ford GTs onto the track there and show everyone what they can do.”

The WEC cars will retain their numbers, but as an homage to the historic racers before them, the two IMSA racers will receive new numbers. Car 66 changes to number 68 and car 67 changes to number 69 for this race. Ford will announce the remaining drivers at a later date, but you can see the four cars and their pilots race at Le Mans on June 18-19.